Psalm 124

New International Version

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.

¹If the Lord had not been on our side—
    let Israel say^(A)—
²if the Lord had not been on our side
    when people attacked us,
³they would have swallowed us alive
    when their anger flared against us;
⁴the flood^(B) would have engulfed us,
    the torrent^(C) would have swept over us,
⁵the raging waters
    would have swept us away.

⁶Praise be to the Lord,
    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
⁷We have escaped like a bird
    from the fowler’s snare;^(D)
the snare has been broken,^(E)
    and we have escaped.
⁸Our help is in the name^(F) of the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven^(G) and earth.

Proverbs 8:4-21

New International Version

⁴“To you, O people, I call out;^(A)
    I raise my voice to all mankind.
⁵You who are simple,^(B) gain prudence;^(C)
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.^[a]
⁶Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
    I open my lips to speak what is right.
⁷My mouth speaks what is true,^(D)
    for my lips detest wickedness.
⁸All the words of my mouth are just;
    none of them is crooked or perverse.
⁹To the discerning all of them are right;
    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
¹⁰Choose my instruction instead of silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold,^(E)
¹¹for wisdom is more precious^(F) than rubies,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.^(G)

¹²“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.^(H)
¹³To fear the Lord^(I) is to hate evil;^(J)
    I hate^(K) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
¹⁴Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.^(L)
¹⁵By me kings reign
    and rulers^(M) issue decrees that are just;
¹⁶by me princes govern,^(N)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.^[b]
¹⁷I love those who love me,^(O)
    and those who seek me find me.^(P)
¹⁸With me are riches and honor,^(Q)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.^(R)
¹⁹My fruit is better than fine gold;^(S)
    what I yield surpasses choice silver.^(T)
²⁰I walk in the way of righteousness,^(U)
    along the paths of justice,
²¹bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
    and making their treasuries full.^(V)

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Footnotes

Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

Ephesians 5:15-20

New International Version

¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live^(A)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity,^(B) because the days are evil.^(C) ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^(D) ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine,^(E) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^(F) ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(G) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks^(H) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.